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30 April 2016

May is one of my favourite months of the year, so I'm really quite excited that it's almost here! It's not just my birthday in May, but it's also the month in which we always have some guaranteed lovely weather and in the Netherlands we also usually have a few extra national holiday days off from work, which is always nice, of course. Somehow May also always is quite an exciting month within the world of chick lit and women's fiction, because there are always some fantastic and promising releases in May; 2016 is no different, luckily! Be sure to check out some of the new releases below and check back tomorrow for even more titles that are coming our way soon!

Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)

'My Husband's Wives' by Faith Hogan (1 May)

Better to have loved and lost, than never loved.

Paul Starr, Irelands leading cardiologist dies in a car crash with a pregnant young women by his side.

United in their grief and the love of one man, four women are thrown together in an attempt to come to terms with life after Paul. They soon realise they never really knew him at all.

The love they shared for Paul in his life and which incensed a feeling of mistrust and dislike for each other, in his death turns into the very thing that bonds them and their children to each other forever.

As they begin to form unlikely friendships, Paul's deaths proves to be the catalyst that enables them to become the people they always wanted to be.

'The Plumberry School of Comfort Food - Taking Stock (Part 3)' by Cathy Bramley (3 May)After years of fish finger sandwiches, Verity Bloom is falling back in love with food again – thanks to The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. And with the success of the cookery school's TV appearance and Tom’s sudden disappearance, it’s not just sparks in the kitchen that are flying.There are more events lined up, so Verity and the team have to put their noses to the grindstone. Easier said than done when Verity is also looking after Gloria, who is still wobbly after her fall, and taking stock of her future at Plumberry... But as romance begins to properly simmer, will an unexpected turn of events change everything for Verity and the team? The Plumberry School of Comfort Food is an irresistibly charming novel told in four parts – following the adventures of Verity Bloom in love, friendship and cooking. This is the third part.Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

'Fading Starlight' by Kathryn Cushman (3 May)Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging--a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she's surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood ingEnue who lives in the nearby mansion. Kendall Joiner wants Lauren's help uncovering the old woman's secrets. In return, she'll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren's tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems. Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

'The Love of a Lifetime' by Melissa Hill (5 May)Hollywood movies are Beth's passion. She hopes her life will always be filled with 'movie moments', where things like serendipity and fate happen every day. Her boyfriend Danny has always been the embodiment of her perfect Hollywood hero - though after seven years together the initial silver-screen romance has settled into something more predictable. And then, one morning at work, Beth receives an anonymous delivery of a take-out coffee cup with a cryptic message suggesting a meeting at Tiffany's. From there, she is given a series of clues directing her to some of NYC's most popular landmarks - a treasure hunt using unique rom-com-related prompts perfect for a movie-lover like Beth to decipher. And Beth is forced to wonder: has Danny realised their relationship needs a boost - or could it be that charming new work colleague Ryan, with his intense gaze, flirtatious smile and almost encyclopaedic movie knowledge, wants to sweep her off her feet? And how would she feel about taking a chance on a new leading man in her life?Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

'Summer at the Cornish Cafe' by Philippa Ashley (5 May)

Demi doesn’t expect her summer in Cornwall to hold anything out of the ordinary. As a waitress, working all hours to make ends meet, washing dishes and serving ice creams seems to be as exciting as the holiday season is about to get.

That’s until she meets Cal Penwith. An outsider, like herself, Cal is persuaded to let Demi help him renovate his holiday resort, Kilhallon Park. Set above an idyllic Cornish cove, the once popular destination for tourists has now gone to rack and ruin. During the course of the Cornish summer, Demi makes new friends – and foes – as she helps the dashing and often infuriating Cal in his quest. Working side by side, the pair grow close, but Cal has complications in his past which make Demi wonder if he could ever truly be interested in her.

Demi realises that she has finally found a place she can call home. But as the summer draws to a close, and Demi’s own reputation as an up and coming café owner starts to spread, she is faced with a tough decision...

Top pastry chef Sophie Bernstein and her sommelier fiancé were set to have Chicago’s culinary wedding of the year…until the groom eloped with someone else in a very public debacle, leaving Sophie splashed across the tabloids—fifty grand in debt on her dream wedding and one-hundred percent screwed on her dream life. The icing on the cake was when she lost her job and her home…

Laying low, Sophie moves in with her grandmother, Bubbles. That way, she can keep Bubbles and her sweater-wearing pug company and nurse her broken heart. But when Sophie gets a part-time job at the old-fashioned neighborhood bakery, she finds herself up to her elbows in dough and reluctantly giving a wedding cake customer advice on everything from gift bags to guest accommodations. Before she knows it, she’s an online wedding planner. It’s not mousse and macarons, but it pays the bills. But with the arrival of unexpected personal and professional twists, Sophie wonders if she’s really moving forward—or starting over from scratch...

Four young women are sharing a loft apartment in New York. They also share an ambitious streak. But with the arrival of various challenges to the friends’ relationships, careers and family lives, is a bright future within their reach?

Whatever happens, the bonds they’ve created while living together will stay with them forever.

‘Do you ever wonder if you’ve lived the life you were meant to?’ I ask her.

She sighs, and dips her head. ‘Even if I do, what difference will it make?’

In 1988, two eight-year-old girls with almost identical names and the same love of ballet meet for the first time. They seem destined to be best friends forever and to become professional dancers. Years later, however, they have both been dealt so many cruel blows that they walk away from each other into very different futures – one enters a convent, the other becomes a minor celebrity. Will these new, ‘invisible’ lives be the ones they were meant to live, or will they only find that kind of salvation when they are reunited twenty years later?

Portia is determined to restore Buttersley Manor, her family’s crumbling ancestral home, to its former glory. Yet she has a feeling that there are a few forgotten skeletons in the dust-covered cupboards.

Jenny has put her life on hold for far too long. It’s time to finally start living and to dig up those hopes and dreams she’s kept hidden all these years – but is she brave enough?

Rich is happily married with a beautiful wife and lovely daughter. In fact, his world is perfect until a very unexpected consequence of his past walks through the door…

Joe would like nothing more than to travel back in time to when he and Gina were happy. But is it too late to rescue what they once had?

One thing’s for sure, nothing’s ever quite what it seems when it comes to life in the country!

Darcy Davenport is ready for a fresh start. Determined to leave a string of disastrous jobs and relationships behind her, she can’t wait to explore White Cliff Bay and meet the locals.

When Darcy swims in the crystal clear waters of the bay, she discovers the charming Rose Island Lighthouse. But it’s not just the beautiful building that she finds so intriguing…

Riley Eddison doesn’t want change. Desperate to escape the memories of his past, he lives a life of solitude in the lighthouse. Yet he can’t help but notice the gorgeous woman who swims out to his island one day.

Darcy is drawn to the mysterious and sexy Riley, but when it seems the town is trying to demolish his home, she soon finds herself having to pick sides.

She’s fallen in love with White Cliff Bay. But is that all Darcy’s fallen for?

28 April 2016

Crouch End Confidential, the agency started by housewife, Cathy O’Farrell, with ex-cleaner Pimple, is failing badly. Hardly surprising when their only clients are little old ladies seeking lost pets. Until the strange case of the missing dog…

Soon Cathy’s multiple problems include stolen bikes, a possible murder weapon, the sabotage of her friends’ new shop, drug-dealing yobbos targeting her children’s primary school and being forced to pose as the world’s most inept maths tutor. Worse, best friend Rosa hires her to investigate fiancé Alec and – horrors – Cathy’s husband Declan is intent on moving himself, Cathy and kids to the safer climes of rural Norfolk. Suddenly Cathy is endangering her marriage, friendships and her life to untangle these messes. But that’s what you get for meddling with murder…

A few years ago I was contacted by author Ellie Campbell, which is actually a pseudonym for sisters Pam and Lorraine, with a review request for their novel 'To Catch a Creeper.' I have to admit I wasn't too sure at first whether this would really be a read for me, but I am glad I gave it a chance because it turned out to be quite the entertaining mix of women's fiction with mystery/detective elements. Since then I've also read 'Looking for La La' (click here to read my review) and today I've got a review of the latest instalment of the Crouch End Confidential series to share with all of you, 'Meddling with Murder', which was released on the 9th of April. I looked forward to reading the third part of the series and hoped I'd enjoy it just as much as the others!

Cathy O'Farrell has started her own detective agency with her friend and ex-cleaner Pimple, titled Crouch End Confidential, but business isn't quite booming. The only clients they seem to attract are people who have either lost their pets or their bikes; not the exciting cases Cathy had been hoping for. However, all of a sudden strange things start to happen, including the appearance of drug dealers at the local primary school and the discovery of an actual gun in the closet of one of her new clients. While Cathy has a lot of things to look into, her husband Declan on a whim decides it might be a good idea to move the whole family to the countryside and her best friend Rosa needs Cathy to spy on her boyfriend whom she doesn't trust anymore. Crouch End Confidential is definitely in business, but will Cathy be able to tackle both the detective work and everything going on in her personal life at the same time?

Ellie Campbell's 'Crouch End Confidential' series is a thoroughly entertaining book series, and definitely one that keeps getting better with each part, in my opinion. 'Meddling with Murder' is the third instalment and I highly recommend reading the other parts of the series first, just so you know what's been going on with these characters from the start. Main character Cathy has set up her own detective agency which leads to quite a few surprising and interesting events. I really enjoyed the several well-drawn plotlines in this book; there was something going on at all times, from Cathy's detective cases to things in her personal life, which made me want to read on and not put the book down.

While the plot was linked together in a great and surprising way, with the story being unpredictable and fast-paced, I did feel there were just a few too many characters in the book. I also noticed this in the earlier parts of the series; I found it difficult to remember all the names and keep the characters apart from one another, and I don't think all of them were really crucial to the story. However, the book is still a great one and I'm already excited for Ellie Campbell's next read! Overall, 'Meddling with Murder' is a fast-paced, entertaining and well-written third part of the 'Crouch End Confidential' series; a great mix of women's fiction and detective/mystery and a fun series worth picking up!

27 April 2016

BEST FRIENDS IMOGEN, FRANKIE AND GRACE DECIDE TO TEST WHETHER THE GRASS REALLY IS GREENER ON THE SINGLE SIDE OF THE FENCE…

IMOGEN is supposed to be on the most romantic weekend of her life and instead she’s quickly realised that her current boyfriend definitely isn’t ‘The One’ and actually One Big Mistake.

FRANKIE is fed up. Fed up of her good-for-nothing husband and her four, unappreciative children. Well, they hardly notice her anyway, maybe it’s time to shake it up a little…

GRACE thought she had the perfect life. Gorgeous little boy and perfect, hardworking husband. Or rather, she did, until she realised her husband was shagging his ‘work’.

It’s time for a change – and to ditch the men who are dragging them down! It’s time for A Year of Being Single. Swearing off men, these single ladies don’t need to put a ring on it…right?

Today I am part of the blog tour for Fiona Collins' new novel, 'A Year of Being Single', which was released by Carina UK on April 21st, and it's a tour I am really excited about! The book is actually author Fiona Collins' debut novel and it's a book I straight away loved the sound of. I read it promised to be a great read for fans of Jane Costello and Fiona Gibson, which was already enough reason for me to want to give the book a chance. Next to my review I also have a special Spotify playlist from Fiona herself to share with all of you today, so be sure to click here to check it out and have a look and also visit some of the other blogs on the tour for more exclusive content!

Frankie, Imogen and Grace are the best of friends who happen to have one thing in common with each other; they are fed up with the men in their lives. Frankie is sick and tired of continually cleaning up after her husband and four kids, so she decides it's time to throw him out of the house. Imogen is dating another big mistake, one in a row of many, and decides she might be better off alone. Grace unexpectedly finds herself alone as well after she catches her husband James cheating on her. The three women decide it's time to stay single for an entire year; no more man problems and just the focus on themselves for a change. But a year can be quite long; question is, can Imogen, Frankie and Grace really stick to their pact or will it be a bigger challenge than they expected...?

'A Year of Being Single' is a fun and enjoyable chick lit read and a promising debut novel by new author Fiona Collins. The book is told from the points of view of three different female characters, Imogen, Frankie and Grace, who all decide to spend a year without men. Each of the women has her own interesting and captivating story to tell and I specifically enjoyed how different the women were, each of them with her own personality and own ideas of what she wants from the men in her life. If I have to pick one favourite character it's probably Grace; she really develops throughout the story and I really liked what the author decided to do with her storyline.

I was a bit surprised by some elements of the ending of the book; not everything I'd hoped for happened, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, of course. The novel is quite a quick read with around 260 pages and chapters of a good length; not too long and not too short. I really enjoyed Fiona Collins' debut and think it's a promising start to her author career; I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next next! Overall, 'A Year of Being Single' is a thoroughly enjoyable, light-hearted and fun read I can recommend to any women's fiction or chick lit fan looking for their next read, and another great read by publisher Carina UK!

26 April 2016

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. I love making lists, so this feature fits me perfectly! If you also take part in this feature or have any additions to my lists, please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you!

Top 10 Bookworm Delights

I love being a bookworm! It's one of the only labels I love being able to link myself to and I don't mind shouting from the rooftops that I'm a bookworm and proud of it. This week's Top 10 Tuesday is a fantastic idea and the top 10 below includes things I can't get enough of as a book worm. I'm really curious to see what other people are going to come up with this Tuesday, so be sure to share your own links in the comments section!

Be sure to share your own TTT's in the comments section below; I'd love to hear from you!

1. Falling in love with a book

It's the best feeling when you're reading a book and just know that this is a special one, one you are not going to forget so easily, and one you're already falling in love with <3

2. Getting/understanding a reference to another book

I love it when I'm reading a book and the author has added a reference to another book/series/author and I actually get the reference. I can't help it, but it makes me feel pretty good, haha.

3. Discovering a new edition of one of your favourite books

I'm a big Jane Austen fan and I just love it whenever I discover a new edition of her books; another gorgeous edition to add to my collection!

4. Getting a Tweet from an author you admire

I still can't help but fangirl whenever an author whose book I loved RTs or replies to one of my messages!

5. That moment you discover your favourite series is getting another part

HELL YEAH!

6. The smell of old books/libraries

I'm sure I don't even have to explain this one to other book lovers <3

7. Loving a book and realising you still have a lot of pages to go

I just love the feeling when I'm really enjoying a book and I double check and discover I'm not even halfway yet.

8. When someone loves a book you recommended

I love recommending books to others, but it's even better when that person then also ends up loving the book you told them to read.

9. Bookish merchandise

I can't get enough of bookish merchandise and there's SO much stuff available; a true bookworm paradise!

10. The moment you (once again) realise this is a never-ending love

There are SO many books to read and even more being published every single day. I will never be able to read all the books I want to read and that is something that actually makes me quite happy <3

25 April 2016

Handsome, 28-year old, Nate Hardman is a frontline reporter with a big problem. Suffering from shell-shock and unable to leave his house, he’s already lost his social life and his girlfriend. Now his career prospects are sinking fast.

9 year-old Adam Boxley who lives alone with his ageing nan, also has big problems. Neglected at home and bullied at school, he’s desperate to reach out to his dad – and that’s when he sends his first letter to Nate. Only Nate’s not who he thinks he is. Will he help? More importantly – can he?

Across town meanwhile, caring but impulsive teacher Jenna Tierney really wants to help Adam - except the feisty redhead has already had enough of teaching. Recently hurt by yet another cheating boyfriend, Jenna’s now set her sights on pursuing a dream career abroad ... only she’s about to meet Nate - her dream man who’ll make her re-think everything.

The big question is; can three people desperate to find love, ever find happiness when they’re only connected by one big lie?

Since I started this book blog several years ago I've been approached by numerous authors, giving me the chance to read and review their work, which is still something I find quite amazing! In 2014 I was introduced to author Giselle Green's work when I was asked to review her novel 'Finding You' (click here to read my review). After that, I was definitely curious to check out more of Giselle's work, so I was excited when she contacted me about her latest book, 'Dear Dad.' The novel was released on March 31st by Yule Press and I was immediately intrigued by the description of the story. This promised to be quite a captivating women's fiction title and I couldn't wait to once again give some of Giselle's writing a chance!

Twenty-eight-year-old Nate Hardman used to love his job as a frontline reporter, but for quite some time now he has been suffering from panic attacks, resulting in him barely being able to leave his home by himself. After losing his girlfriend, friends, and now almost losing his job, Nate doesn't have much left. Until he receives a letter from nine-year-old Adam, who believes that Nate is his father. Adam is being bullied and has a difficult time at home taking care of his grandmother, so Nate feels he can't possibly just walk away, even though he is sure he is not Adam's real dad. Together with Adam's supply teacher, Jenna, Nate is determined to help the little boy. But the lies only seem to get bigger, and Nate doesn't dare to think what will happen if the truth comes out.

Giselle Green has done a great job with her latest novel 'Dear Dad' and I am really glad she gave me the chance to read and review it! The book has quite an original storyline, one I've personally never come across before, and this was something I straight away liked and that intrigued me. The book focuses on a man who is dealing with his own personal issues when he receives a letter from a small boy who believes he has found his real father. The story is told from two perspectives: Nate Hardman, the 'dad', and Jenna Tierney, who is the boy's supply teacher at school. Both Nate and Jenna had their own story to tell, next to the one revolving around the boy that brings them together, and this was something I really enjoyed, because there were a lot of elements to keep me interested and wanting to read on.

Giselle Green has a great writing style which is easy to read and includes enough attention to detail and dialogue. I have to admit I did feel as if the novel was a bit too long; it could have been a bit shorter and still just as strong, in my opinion. However, the book has strong in-depth characters and an original and interesting storyline and I'm really happy I was given the chance to discover this book! Overall, 'Dear Dad' is a heart-warming, touching and original read that I'd like to recommend to all women's fiction fans. A convincing and well-written read by author Giselle Green and I hope to be able to read more of her work in the future!

23 April 2016

Bored housewife and mother of twins JULIA is contemplating an affair with ex-boyfriend Max after a chance meeting in the supermarket. The cereal aisle no less.

Trophy wife MIRANDA has got it all – expensive clothes, a huge house, and her wealthy husband Doug. So why does she feel like something is missing?

Teenager FAYE hates being treated like a child. She wants glamour and excitement – anything to get away from her mundane family life.

THREE women, each with TWO options, needing to make ONE choice.

Over the past few months or so I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several thoroughly enjoyable novels released by publisher Carina UK. I managed to get review copies via NetGalley and I have to admit I can't get enough of their stories, so whenever I spot a new book that will be released by them on the NetGalley website these days, I just can't stop myself from requesting a review copy! Today, I've got a review of Alice Ross' 'An Autumn Affair' to share with all of you, which is the first part of her 'Countryside Dreams' series. I read somewhere that this is actually a previously released book that has now been separated into four different e-books, and I immediately really liked the sound of 'An Autumn Affair', so looked forward to giving it a chance!

'An Autumn Affair' focuses on three different women living in the same town, all dealing with their own issues. Julia has been married to Paul for years and they have two children together. But when she bumps into her ex-boyfriend Max during her Friday afternoon shopping trip, she can't think about anything else but Max anymore. Julia's teenage daughter Faye wants nothing more than to be treated as the adult she feels she is, and the chance to walk away from her boring small town life. Miranda is married to a wealthy man, lives in a wonderful home and has a great daughter, but what appears quite perfect from the outside, is actually quite broken from the inside, and Miranda is struggling to find a solution that will make her problems go away...

'An Autumn Affair' is the first instalment of the new four-part series 'Countryside Dreams' by author Alice Ross, and a very promising start indeed! I straight away really liked the pretty cover of the book and am glad to say the story inside definitely matched it. The novella focuses on three female characters, Miranda, Julia and Faye, who are all dealing with their own issues. Numerous topics are explored within the pages of the book, including friendship, lost love, family, and betrayal. Because of the three storylines and the various topics tackled in the different stories, I wanted to keep on reading and didn't get bored at any time by the characters and/or the storylines.

Alice Ross' writing really fits the chick lit genre; a great mix of both description and dialogue, and with convincing, relatable and likeable characters at its core. I am already curious to see what the second part of the series, 'A Summer of Secrets', has in store for us and I have high hopes I will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed this first instalment. Overall, I thought 'An Autumn Affair' was another great read by publisher Carina UK and a, for me personally, wonderful introduction to Alice Ross' writing; an entertaining and easy-to-read novella which I am positive many women's fiction/chick lit fans will enjoy as much as I did!

22 April 2016

Sephy King’s worked flat-out to make her new lingerie business a success, only there’s a tiny snag – the marketing photos for the launch party are a disaster.

Luke Jackson will help her, won’t he? They just need to strip off, model gorgeous, sexy underwear together and take more photos! So what if the stunning body he’s been hiding makes Sephy’s eyes pop out? And when he holds her, she suddenly wishes they were in her bedroom…alone? He’s her best friend.

Then Luke asks Sephy for a return favour: to pose as his fake fiancée to get his parents temporarily off his back. It’s a risky strategy – but she’s sure she can pull it off.

Until he kisses her…

It's been quite a while since I've had the pleasure of reading a new Harper Impulse read! I'm a big fan of the publisher and always love checking out their reads (such as Debbie Johnson's 'Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper', click here to read my review), so when I was approved for a review copy of Eve Devon's 'It's in His Kiss', which was released on April 21st, via NetGalley, I was really excited to once again have the chance to discover a (to me) new author's writing. The lovely pastel colours of the cover and the book description already definitely managed to grab my attention, so it was fingers crossed, hoping I'd also end up enjoying the story itself!

Twenty-something Sephy King doesn't shy away from a bit of hard work. She has been working on her new lingerie business non-stop, making sure it will be a success so she can keep on taking good care of her young daughter Daisy. However, Sephy knows she needs something to boost her marketing campaign if she really wants her line to make an impression, and that something is a man, particularly her best friend Luke. In return for his modelling services, Luke asks one thing from Sephy: to pretend to be his fake fiancee when his parents come to visit him. It seems like a good deal for the both of them, but when sparks start to fly and things are getting hotter and hotter, Sephy comes to realise there is a lot more between her and Luke than she initially thought.

When I started this novel I had absolutely no idea it is actually the third part of a series by Eve Devon. Her novels 'The Love List' and 'Her Best Laid Plans' focus on two other female characters that both come back in this book as well and the three stories are all connected to one another. While you can certainly read 'It's in His Kiss' as a stand-alone, I personally definitely felt as if I was missing out on important background details and think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the other two parts first. This doesn't take away the fact that I liked both Sephy and Luke's tale (the chemistry between these two almost literally sparked off the pages!) and Eve Devon's writing style, which fit the romance genre really well and was comfortable to read.

The novel's first chapter straight away dives into the middle of Sephy and Luke's friendship, and this remains the main focus of the book. While the sexual tension between them is really well done, I did feel that the story dragged a bit, with not too much going on. I wouldn't have minded it if another storyline had been added, perhaps something involving Sephy's incredibly cute daughter Daisy. There's also an important role for Sephy's family in the story, but I thought they really weren't very likeable character, unfortunately. On the whole, 'It's in His Kiss' is an enjoyable romance read with a lot of chemistry and heat between its main characters, but I do recommend reading the other parts of this series first in order to enjoy the book the most.

21 April 2016

Amanda is making the idyllic escape to the countryside to find a new life. Ben is picking up the pieces of his life after his wife left. Could a chance encounter outside Amanda's 'chic boutique' set them on the road to renewed happiness? Shop owner Amanda leaves London behind for life in the country and find's love with local vet Ben in this fun, addictive winner of the Prima Flirty Fiction competition.

Don't you just want to run away to the countryside when you see the book cover of Rachel Dove's 'The Chic Boutique on Baker Street'? I love everything about this colourful book cover and after having read the description of the story I knew this was going to be one of the April 2016 releases I definitely wanted to check out. Luckily, I was contacted by the publisher and found a lovely shiny paperback review copy of the book in my mailbox a few weeks ago! Spring is the perfect time for lovely and fun romance novels that leave you with a smile on your face, and I already had a good feeling that is exactly what 'The Chic Boutique on Baker Street' would turn out to be!

After catching her boyfriend and colleague Marcus in the arms of his secretary, Amanda Perry decides to leave her life as a successful lawyer in London behind to start afresh in the countryside. She ends up in the small town of Westfield where she starts her own boutique, called ‘A New Lease of Life.’ Next door to her store there’s a dog grooming business which is where Amanda first meets local vet Ben Evans. Ben mainly tries to focus on himself, trying to get over the divorce from his wife, but he can’t ignore the sparks between him and Amanda. Amanda definitely isn’t looking for new love, but it quickly turns out the inhabitants of Westfield have other plans in store for both Ben and Amanda…

After having read ‘The Chic Boutique on Baker Street’ I completely understand why author Rachel Dove was the winner of the Prima Flirty Fiction competition with this title, because it is a fun and light-hearted romance read which I enjoyed from start to finish. I’m a sucker for the basic storyline of a heroine leaving her city life behind to start anew in a small town in the countryside, but Rachel Dove really managed to give it her own twist and turned it into a read I didn’t want to put down. The characters in this book are wonderful; I easily warmed to leading lady Amanda and her possible love interest Ben, and there was a great collection of secondary characters as well. With stories set in small towns I love it when the write can convey that town feeling of everyone knowing and looking out for each other, and that feeling was definitely there in Westfield!

The book is quite a short read with precisely 300 pages and the writing is fast-paced, which resulted in me racing through the pages, perhaps even quicker than I actually wanted! I think this really is the perfect Spring read because it has that feel of new love and sunshine and lovely Spring days, and it is a great read to pick up when you have a few hours for yourself. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Rachel Dove’s work in the future and hope she will treat us to another romance read as soon as possible. Overall, I personally really enjoyed ‘The Chic Boutique on Baker Street’; it’s a light-hearted and fun romance read that I enjoyed from start to finish and can highly recommend to any romance/chick lit fan out there looking for their next read!